Finland faces strong winds as first snow may reach Lapland

Strong winds are forecast across much of Finland early next week, while the first snow could fall in northern Lapland, Yle reports. The Finnish Meteorological Institute has issued advance warnings for potentially dangerous winds on Tuesday.

Forecasters expect strong winds in southern and central Finland on Tuesday. Inland areas in central Finland could see storm-force gusts exceeding 21 metres per second, Yle meteorologist Aleksi Lohtander said.

Warnings for dangerous winds cover Satakunta, Ostrobothnia, South Ostrobothnia and Central Ostrobothnia, as well as several sea areas.

The chance of the first snowfall in northern Lapland is expected to increase as the week progresses. Snow could fall in Kilpisjärvi on the night between Tuesday and Wednesday, although the forecast remains uncertain.

Over the weekend, temperatures are expected to reach around 10 degrees in northern Finland and around 15 degrees in the south. Rain will focus on the north on Saturday, then move from west to east across the country on Sunday. The weather is forecast to clear gradually later on Sunday.

Monday is expected to remain cloudy, with scattered rain. A broader area of rain is forecast to move into northern Finland in the evening, strengthening the winds, especially on Tuesday.